A baby seagull has died in a popular seaside town after allegedly being kicked. Now, a concerned wildlife rescue volunteer is pleading for people to stop distrubing birds and to treat wildlife with respect.
Mel Greenhalgh, founder of Brambles Wildlife Rescue in Ribchester, Lancashire, posted on the organisation’s Facebook page about the young seagull that had been brought in on Saturday July 12. The injuries were associated with blunt force trauma, which led to the suggestion that the bird had been kicked by a human.
The baby seagull was named Soilder by Mel and in a FaceBook post the following morning (July 13), she wrote: “For those who wanted an update on Soilder – he has made it through the night, there is no improvement in condition yet, he remains critical and is fighting for his life.
“With so few rescues helping gulls, he came to Brambles 25 miles away for help. We are one of the only three rescues in Lancashire actively helping baby gulls.
“Despite us already being full, we made room for him as his only other option would have been euthanasia with the other rescue at Lancaster that helps gulls also being full.”
Soldier was given subscutaneous fluids to sustain his organs, and prevent dehydration. However, the baby seagull passed away.
In another post, Mel wrote: “With utterly broken hearts, we can tell you that Soldier has just passed away despite our very best efforts. It’s really important we find out who did this to him on Kirby Road, Blackpool yesterday (July 12).
“Please share and if you have any information please come forward.”
According to Mel, these kinds of attacks are happening more often, expressing that despite seagulls often being “seen as a nuisance by beachgoers, they are still protected wild animals deserving of compassion and respect”.
Other experts and rescue volunteers are urging authorities and the public to be empathetic towards the animals, especially during fledgling season when younger seagulls are most vulnerable.
Mel and the team at Brambles ask that communties speak up when they witness abuse, and support local wildlife rescues that are working to protect the animals.
A spokeperson for Lancashire police told The Express that the incident had been reported and “enquiries are ongoing”.
